Members of Yorktown Heights Engine Co. #1 say goodbye to Ladder 51

In late 1966 the Chief of the Company and the Board of Fire Commissioners worked on specs for a new ladder truck. By the middle of 1967 all the details had been worked out and they went out to bid. 30 day later as you know the bid was rewarded to FWD/Seagrave. While the new truck was being worked on the members of the engine company started to remodel the main firehouse. This meant making room for the new ladder truck. By removing walls and adding rooms. By the time this was all done it was 1968 and the call came in. Yorktown's new ladder truck was being delivered. In the latter part of the year 1968 the Ladder truck was delivered. The day it pulled in behind the main firehouse, members from other departments from all over Northern Westchester had been there John Bernal (Somers) had told me. It was at that time the ladder was a unique cream color. For some people it took time to get use to, and you can say it was then when Yorktown made the move to change the color of fire engines. But 34 years later the color red is back and here to stay. After many weeks of training and qualifying drivers for the new truck it was time! The Chief obtained a Westchester County ID number for the new ladder. It was then Ladder 51 was in service.
Ladder 51 served Yorktown Heights and the surrounding areas for many years. Being put to work at many working fires, like Geiss Auto Mall, Triangle shopping Center, Bedroom, Grandma's Pies, and many more. Ladder 51 has also removed many of injured off of roofs, out of trees, and even out of bucket trucks.
In 2006 the ladder that serviced Yorktown Fire District and the Yorktown Heights Eng. Co. #1 was put into reserve status and ID with Ladder 68, and the ID of Ladder 51 was transferred to the New Seagrave Ladder. Ladder 68 still remains loyal to the fire service along with many other older types of fire apparatus, teaching the younger generation about the development of motorized fire apparatus. Ladder 68 along with many other antique fire apparatus can be seen and appreciated at Catskill Fire Cats museum located in Middletown NY. Catskill Fire Cats is a Chapter of SPAAMFAA (Society for the Preservation & Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America). www.spaamfaa.org